A.D . 1173. FLIGHT OF THE KING OF FRANCE. 371 high hill, near VemeuB, with the whole of his army, and drew up his troops in order of battle. This too was the peremptory day upon which that portion of Verneuil was to be surrendered if it did not obtain succour. Upon this, Louis, king of the Franks, sent William, archbishop of Sens, earl Henry, and earl Theobald, to the king of England, the father, who appointed an interview to be held between them on the morrow ; and the king of England, to his misfortune, placed confidence in them ; for he was deceived. For on the morrow the king of France neither came to the interview, nor yet sent any messenger. On this, the king of England sent out spies to observe the position of the king of France and his army ; but while the spies were delaying their return, that portion of Verneuil was surrendered to the king of France to which he had laid siege. However, he did not dare retain it in his hands, having transgressed the oath which he had made to the burghers. For he neither restored to them their hostages, nor preserved the peace as he had promised ; but, entering the town, made the burghers prisoners, carried off their property, set fire to the Burgh, and then, taking to flight, carried away with him the burghers before-mentioned into France. When word was brought of this to the king of England, he pursued them with the edge of the sword, slew many of them, and took considerable numbers, and at nightfaB arrived at VerneuB, where he remained one night, and ordered the waBs which had been leveBed to be rebuilt. But, in order that these events may be kept in memory, it is as weB to know that this flight of the king of France took place on the fifth day before the ides of August, being the fifth day of the week, upon the vigiï of Saint Laurence, to the praise and f lory of our Lord Jesus Christ, who by punishing the crime of perfidy, so speedBy avenged the indignity done to his Martyr. On the following day, the king of England, the father, left Verneuil, and took the castle of DamvBle, which belonged to Gilbert de TBieres, and captured with it a great number of knights and men-at-arms. After this, the king came to Rouen, and thence dispatched his Brabanters, in whom he placed more confidence than the rest, into Brittany, against Hugh, earl of Chester, and Ralph de Fougères, who had now gained possession of nearly the whole of it. When these troops ap- B Β 2